IDNs provide a forum for Society members to:
- Connect with members of other professional specialties who share a common therapy or disease interest and collaborate on issues and projects of common interest
- Engage in interdisciplinary professional networking
- Identify issues unique and relevant to the Network, from the perspective of all members of the patient care team
- Identify opportunities for new programs and services to meet the needs of the interdisciplinary team
- Conduct interdisciplinary peer review of ISHLT’s scientific output
- Identify individuals to develop scientific content for ISHLT’s programs and services that has interdisciplinary value and relevance
- Access opportunities to be involved as a volunteer leader of or contributor to the Society’s programs and services
- Provide an interdisciplinary perspective on issues under consideration by the Board
- Communicate Society’s strategy, direction, priorities, opportunities, etc. to members of the Network
The Interdisciplinary Networks are each led by a multidisciplinary Steering Committee elected by the members of the relevant
Professional Communities. The primary means of communication among members of the INDs will be via the
ISHLTConnect discussion forums. Additionally, each IDN will have a meeting of its members during the ISHLT Annual Meeting.
ISHLT leverages the value of our interdisciplinarity to deliver on our mission by organizing into 4 core therapy/disease-focused practice areas called Interdisciplinary Networks:
- Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation (AHFTX)
- Advanced Lung Failure and Transplantation (ALFTX)
- Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS)
- Pulmonary Vascular Disease (PAH & CTEPH) (PVD)
This interdisciplinary focus is a unique aspect of ISHLT primary value for our members and industry partners as it brings together all professionals who make up the care team (surgeons, physicians, allied health professionals, scientists, and
related professionals).
Each therapy/disease-focused Network is comprised of ISHLT members from the various Professional Communities. Society members may choose to affiliate with one or more Interdisciplinary Network(s) that focus on their areas of practice.
Within each Network, ISHLT members will be able to address their professional needs and the needs of their patients from a truly interdisciplinary perspective mirroring how we deliver care. These Networks will help ensure that the mission and
purposes of the Society and all of the activities pursued by the Society (education, research, publications) are reflective of the perspectives and needs of the entire interdisciplinary team.